Eli Altizer, Bath County High School Class 2016. Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, 2018 (Associate’s degree in general studies), Old Dominion University, 2020 (Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management), Lawrence Tech University, 2021 (Business Administration - Graduate level), Mercyhurst University, 2022 (Organizational Leadership - Graduate level), Old Dominion University, Spring 2023 – Present (Masters in Sport Management).

How did GRASP and its advisors help you?

GRASP and its advisors helped educate me about the college process in general. It sounds obvious, but being a first-generation student, you don’t know what you don’t know. GRASP and its advisors were a great resource for any questions I had about the college process. They were always willing and happy to help me with any questions I asked.

What are you doing now?

I am currently a graduate assistant football coach with Old Dominion University. I help coach the defensive backs, break down film of our upcoming opponents and coordinate our scout team offense. On game days I am up in the press box communicating what I see on the field to our defensive coordinator. In addition to my coaching responsibilities, I am obtaining a master’s degree in sport management. As a graduate assistant the football program pays for my cost of attendance as long as I maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the graduate program.

What one piece of educational advice would you give to high school students?

To hold yourself to a certain standard. We have a saying here with the ODU football program, “How you do anything is how you do everything”. If you allow yourself to slack off in academics, then you will inevitably allow yourself to slack off in other areas of life as well. Hold yourself to a standard that you and your family would be proud of in anything you do.

What is the biggest life challenge you faced relative to your educational path?

The biggest life challenge for me has been not to get frustrated with the amount of time and work that it takes to achieve my academic and career goals. I dislike schoolwork as much as the next person, but I know I need my degree for the career path that I have chosen. I am working in college football, but I am far from where I want to be in my career. It is easy to look ahead in life and get frustrated because you don’t have your degree yet or because you don’t have your dream job yet. I have to constantly remind myself to enjoy the process that it takes to reach my goals.

One final note is to appreciate all the help you get along your journey. I will never be able to repay my family for all the things they have done for me. Several friends and co-workers have gone out of their way to help me when they didn’t have to. I will end with saying thank you to GRASP and everyone else who has helped me along my educational journey.